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Education

Concern for the communities we serve is one of the seven principals that guide our electric cooperative. One way we accomplish this is through programs designed for members of all ages. We offer presentations on a variety of subjects from electrical safety to energy efficiency. We are able to provide school programs, civic programs and community information programs. Let’s foster the Cooperative Spirit by partnering in member education today! Check out these available programs:

Kato's "Danger Ranger" Safety Program

Available to grades K-3. Join Kato and his friends as they journey through this presentation to find electrical safety hazards. ‘My Electrical Safety Activity Book ’ goes along with the presentation to promote awareness and understanding. Students are presented with official “Danger Ranger” hats and materials that they can use, to take what they have learned in school into their homes. Program length is approximately 40 minutes, with a question and answer session that follows.

Stay Safe Around Electricity Program

This educational program is available to grades 2-4. Using the accompanying workbook materials, students will identify and discuss safe practices around electricity. A variety of real electrical safety equipment will be presented and explained. Students can take what they learn and apply it to their everyday lives, to “Stay Safe Around Electricity!” Program length is approximately 45 minutes.

Take a Field Trip to Your Cooperative

Members are invited to make arrangements to visit the cooperative during business hours to view “first hand” the practices and activities of the electrical industry. Members will tour different departments within the cooperative and talk with employees about their individual jobs. Each tour takes approximately 1 hour and we can accommodate up to 60 persons at a time. Everyone is welcome!

Louie the Lightning Bug

A perennial favorite! Join with Louie as he helps to explain electricity and the need to “Play it Safe”. This program is available to grades K-4. Students will enjoy the animated character of Louie the Lightning Bug and learn from his message. This program runs approximately 30 minutes.

Understanding Open and Closed Circuits

This program is designed specifically for 3rd grade. Students will develop an understanding of basic electricity and the concept of open and closed circuits. There are “hands on” experiments which help reinforce this concept. Additional exploration of Series and parallel circuits is also available. This program offers the science and safety of electricity.

Celebration of National Arbor Day

This program is specifically designed for 5th graders, to help them understand and appreciate our environment and celebrate Earth Day. The program includes a discussion on the history and importance of Arbor Day, as well as offering the students the opportunity to plant a live tree on their school campus. Students may also have the opportunity take home a tree home, to plant in their own yards. Working together, we can all make a difference in our world.

“Hot Box" Electrical Demonstration

Available to 4th & 5th Grades. This demonstration uses an attractive display to illustrate how electricity is generated and supplied to our schools, communities and homes. It also visually identifies the need for electrical safety. Students will connect the science of electricity with the importance of electrical safety. This program runs approximately 50 minutes with question and answer opportunities.

Natural Resources: Renewable and Non-Renewable

This program offers a complete review of the natural resources used to produce electricity. We divide these into two categories, renewable and non-renewable, and examine the possibilities and limitations of each. This program helps members understand the importance of conservation efforts and the actions it will take from them, to become “energy wise”! This program, typically structured for 6th grade Social Studies classes, is applicable for other ages as well.

In Concert with the Environment

Members will have the experience of conducting energy audits to determine the energy efficiency of their own homes. Based on their results, materials and suggestions will be made available to members for use in their homes, resulting in greater energy savings. This program usually requires approximately 45 minutes to introduce the project and a second visit of approximately 45 minutes to review results and develop an energy action plan.

Pedal Power Program

The Pedal Power program uses a bicycle-powered generator to power lights and various appliances. Lesson plans and activities include energy generation, conservation, renewable energy and capacitors. Voltage and current meters on the display board allow members to calculate the power (in watts) needed to operate the various appliances. This program also offers a great demonstration on the difference between incandescent light bulbs and the energy saving CFL bulbs.

Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives is a national network of electric cooperatives across 46 states that provides resources and leverages partnerships to help member cooperatives and their employees better engage and serve their members. By working together, Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives stand as a source of power and information to their 32 million member-owners every day.